Kerygma
The Rev. Michael K. Templin / Pentecost, 2024, Issue 11
There is a wonderful little book by the renowned NT scholar, C.H. Dodd, called “The Apostolic Preaching and its Developments.” In this book, he traces out several key points of doctrine that the Apostles utilized in each of their sermons. This is what Dodd referred to as the Kerygma. Kerygma is a Greek word that means “preaching” or “proclamation,” and the preacher or herald of this message was called the kerysso. This language is borrowed from secular use in Greco-Roman society and it often was used when some great political proclamation or victory had been accomplished - a town crier (kerysso) would come and preach or proclaim (i.e. Kerygma) the Euangelion or the Gospel. But, now the Apostles of Jesus are sent forth to preach/proclaim his Good News - his victory over death, sin, and the devil - that he sits on his Father’s that a new Kingdom has been inaugurated. Thus, the Apostles proclaim the facts of the Gospel and call for those who have heard the news of the new King Jesus to submit, repent, and be baptized into his Kingdom. Dodd says this Kerygma accompanies or provides the pattern and shape of what the Apostles proclaimed:
The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the "latter days" foretold by the prophets.
This has occurred through the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as the Messianic head of the new Israel.
The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's power and glory.
The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ.
An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.
A great example of this is from the Epistle Lesson from Easter Tuesday (Acts 13). We can see these points in St. Paul’s proclamation in Pisidian Antioch. “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.”
Here we have an appeal to prophets of old foretelling these events and those to whom they were written ignoring them. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulcher. But God raised him from the dead: and he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.”
Here we have the contents of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection and his post-resurrection ministry. “And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.”
There is again an appeal to prophets and the psalms and the declaration that God had raised Jesus from the dead. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.”
Finally, we see an appeal for repentance, forgiveness, and a warning to those who do not repent. If we continued reading the chapter, we would observe some receiving salvation (the Gentiles), the judgment of the Apostles on those who tried to harm them (shaking the dust off their feet), and believers filled with the promise of the Holy Spirit.
So, why is the pattern important? Why should we know the Kerygma or the contents of the Apostolic Proclamation of the Gospel? As we just celebrated Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension - we read many prophecies concerning these things which are proofs from God that this is his work! We celebrated Ascension, proclaiming the truth that Jesus is reigning as Lord in heaven, and shortly after, we will celebrate Pentecost, which commemorates the giving of the Holy Spirit to us. These things are central to the Gospel, and thus, they are central to our proclamation of the Gospel. We are all called to be witnesses to the dying world; therefore, it's important to know the Gospel in its entirety. The church calendar helps us live these things out, but it's important to learn them so we can bring others in our fallen world into the loving security of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. We might never be Peter or Paul, but we can at least know the central truths of the Gospel message when someone asks. “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Amen.
The Rev. Michael K. Templin serves as assisting priest at St. Benedict’s Anglican Church and serves at the Reformed Episcopal cathedral Church of the Holy Communion in Dallas Texas.
